BBC orders second series of Last Tango In Halifax

The comedy drama has been achieving impressive audience figures on Tuesday nights, reportedly becoming the biggest mid-week drama on any channel this year. The three episodes broadcast to date have achieved a very strong average consolidated audience figure of 7.1 million viewers.

Created and written by Sally Wainwright (Scott & Bailey), Last Tango In Halifax follows would-be childhood sweethearts Alan and Celia who are reunited after 60 years. As their lives collide for a second time, Alan and Celia lament over what might have been as they take us on a life-affirming journey of what can still happen.

The programme stars Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, and the cast list also features Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker, Tony Gardner and Ronni Ancona.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen says: "Last Tango In Halifax tops off a fantastic year for new returning drama series on BBC One, making it five hits to celebrate. Sally Wainwright's scripts and the outstanding cast have unearthed an absolute gem that is captivating audiences of all ages on Tuesday nights, making it the biggest mid-week drama launch on any channel in 2012."

Sally Wainwright adds: "I'm thrilled by the amazing response we've had to Last Tango. People seem to have really engaged with it, and with the wonderful performances of the actors, and I couldn't be happier about being given the chance to take the story further."

Nicola Shindler, from production company Red, adds: "We're simply delighted! I've been overwhelmed by the audiences reaction to Last Tango In Halifax. With such great characters and fantastic scripts there are so many stories still to tell and we can't wait to get started on Series 2."

The final three episodes of the current series will air on Tuesday 11th December, Tuesday 18th December and Wednesday 19th December. Series 2 is expected to follow in late 2013.

2013 will be a busy year for Derek Jacobi, as the actor has also signed up to appear alongside Ian McKellen in new ITV1 sitcom Vicious.

Below is a clip from this week's episode of Last Tango In Halifax. Alan and Celia get locked in a stately home by accident, and so play cards to pass the time: